Top 61 Bible Verses About the Power of Words

By Sunshyne | June 5, 2024 |

I want you to think of the last time someone spoke kind words over you. Or maybe you might recall a time when someone spoke harsh or hurtful words over you. Reflect on either scenario and recall the feelings that were associated with those words. Words are pretty powerful- good or bad. Our language is how we communicate. Words are vital as they are how we express thoughts, share knowledge, and connect with others. They are the foundation of human interaction, allowing us to build and maintain relationships. The Word of God emphasizes the power of words in everyday life. Let’s peek at the top Bible verses about the power of words.

God’s Word

Before we talk about the power of our words, let’s highlight the power of His Word! The Bible is where we find powerful truth that literally leads to life. God’s Word teaches, corrects and trains. The Bible exposes our hearts and has transformative power. None of God’s Word will return to Him without accomplishing His purpose. Scripture leads, guides and sanctifies believers. The Word of God will stand even when heaven and earth pass away. When we know (and live out) God’s best for our lives, everything is just better! Check out these Bible verses about the power of words from the Scriptures…

Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Isaiah 55:11 – So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Matthew 24:35 – Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

John 17:17 – Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Psalm 119:160 – The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

1 Peter 1:23 – Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.

Joshua 1:8 – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Matthew 4:4 – But he answered, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Check out: Benefits of Reading the Bible

Bible Verses About the Power of Words

The following Bible verses about the power of words demonstrate that words can be a matter of life and death. In Romans 10:10, salvation comes through confessing our faith in Christ as our Savior. We have a choice to use our words to honor God…

Romans 10:10 – For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

James 3:5-6 – So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

Our Words Reflect the Intentions of the Heart

Scripture is clear that our words are a reflection of what is in our heart. Additionally, our ability to exercise self control over our words demonstrates our yielding to the Holy Spirit. Allow an evaluation of your words to give you good information. Bring your concerns to God- He delights to help us sweep our hearts clean. This is not work we can do apart from the work of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Proverbs 17:27 – Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Matthew 15:18 – But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

Proverbs 10:11 – The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 16:27 – A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

Luke 6:45 – The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Proverbs 15:28 – The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

Check out: 5 Ways to Guard Your Heart and Mind

Putting Off Unwholesome Talk & Foul Language

God’s best for us include abstaining from corrupt talk, slander, deception and gossip.

Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Proverbs 18:6-7 – A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Proverbs 26:20 – For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Proverbs 11:13 – A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

Proverbs 16:28 – A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Life-Giving Words

Pleasant words and gentle words are healing. Words that build up and encourage are life-giving words. The following Bible verses about the power of words that are life-giving are inspiring!

Proverbs 16:24 – Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 25:11 – A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Proverbs 18:4 – The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Proverbs 15:23 – To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

Proverbs 24:26 – Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.

Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Proverbs 31:26 – She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Harsh Words Cause Great Harm

In the same way the power of our words can be life-giving, they can also cause great harm and destruction. Check out these Bible verses about the power of words meant to harm or spoken rashly.

Proverbs 12:18 – There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Matthew 12:36-37 – I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Proverbs 15:4 – A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 11:9 – With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

Guidance

These Bible verses about the power of words give us great instruction. The following Scriptures also show us some of the benefits of harnessing our mouth.

Proverbs 21:23 – Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 – The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Proverbs 15:2 – The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Psalm 141:3 – Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

James 1:19 – Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

1 Peter 3:10 – For ‘Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.’

Proverbs 13:3 – Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Psalm 34:13 – Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

General Guide to Watch the Power of Our Words

If you are reading this and reflecting on your words with conviction- you are not alone. All of us have spoken words we wish we could take back. Take heart, friend, God not only lavishes us with forgiveness; He lavishes us with help! God has given us His Holy Spirit to help us manage our own heart. He delights to help us manage our words with His great power in us. Don’t hesitate to ask Him to help you with your heart and your speech- He is faithful! Let’s check out some of the guidelines for how we are instructed to use our words…

Speak Thoughtfully and Wisely

Proverbs 10:19 – When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

James 1:19 – Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

Speak Kindly and Gently

Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Speak Truthfully

Ephesians 4:25 – Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Proverbs 12:19 – Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Avoid Gossip and Slander

Proverbs 20:19 – Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

James 4:11 – Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law.

Use Words to Encourage and Build Up

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.